Strip delivery mechanism for punch presses and the like



G. H. L ELAND 1,916,378

STRIP .DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE July 4, 1933.

Filed Nov. 9, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l [www m%\ xm L 1 D D B u D w m RQ NSo wwQmm tr@ t ...Vl m www m h N ms@ F.. MJ Y .El S S NQ QQ VI/[NTRGERGEH. ELA/VU.

h/'s TTOR/VEY July 4, 1933. G. H. LELAND STRIP DELIVERY MECHANISM FORPUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. H.LELAND `uly 4, 1933.

STRIIz DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed Nov. 9, 1931 /m/f/v Taf?. G50/mf H. I ELA/v0.

July 4, 1933. G. H. I ELAND STRIP DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PUNCH PRESSESAND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. H. LELAND July 4,1933.

STRIP DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed NOV. 9, 1951 D. RN 0A T N E E L VH. wf@

July 4, 1933- G. H, LELAND 1,916,378

STRIP DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9,1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented `luly 4, 1933 narra GEORGE. I-I. LELAND,OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE y:TAFEL-AND ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO STRIP .DELIVERYlvIECHANSI/I EUR PUNCH ANI) THE LIKE Application filed November 9, 1931.Serial No. 573,785.

This invention relates to punch presses and more particularly tomechanism for delivering strips of material to the press and forcontrolling the operation of that mechanism 4and of the feeding deviceson the press.

@ne object of theinvention is to provide an automatically controlledmechanism for feeding strips of material successively from a pile ofsuch strips to the press.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for so controllingsuch a feeding mechanism that the strips will be delivered to the pressin proper relation one to the other and to the press mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism withdevices to lift the uppermost strip from a pile of strips and depositthe same on al feeding table and having means for automaticallycontrolling the operation of the lifting device.

K A further object of the invention is to provide" reversible motor formoving the lifting device from one position to another with automaticmeans for reversing the motor at the yend of each movement. Y A furtherobject of the invention is to provide such a mechanism with means forpreventing the release ofa strip by the lifting devices, or the reversalof the motor, when a preceding strip is located on the feeding tablebeneath the lifting devices.

il. further object of the invention is to provide feeding devicesformoving the strips over the table and for automatically controlling theaction of said feeding devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide in connection with thestrip delivering mechanism means for Vso controlling the feeding deviceswhich form part of the press as to provide a complete automaticcontrolof the strip.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the apparatusis describedin detail.

ln the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mechanismcomprising synchronously operating presses with the feeding mechanismassociated therewith; Fig. i). is adetail view of the device forcontrolling the operationA of the feeding-in rollers on the press 5.Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showing the switchactuating mechanism in elevation; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the linel--l of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a detail view of the circuit controllingdevice, the opera-tion of which is controlled by the strips; Fig. 6 is asection taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an end elevation ofthe feeding mechanism; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the carriage andits operating devices; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the feeding table,partly broken away; Fig. 10 is a detail view 'of the operating devicesfor the switch which controls the lifting devices; Fig. 11 is atransverse section of the feeding table showing the guides vfor thestrip; Fig. 12 is a detail view `of one of the strip feeding devices;Fig. 13 is a detail view of the device for controlling the' pressureexerted by the feeding devices on thestrip; Fig. 14 is a de- .I tailview of one of the lifting magnets; Fig.

15 is a detail view of thefrictional retarding device for the feeding-inrollers of the press; F 16 is a detail view of the actuating device fo'rthe motorreversing switch; Fig. 17 is a sectional detail view of thebrake for the motor; Fig. 18 is a diagram of the lifting vmagnetcircuit; Fig. 19 is a diagram of the motor circuit; Fig.20 is a diagramof the circuits controlling the feeding devices, both of the presses,and the automatic strip inserting mechanism;V Fig. 21 is a plan view ofthe device for centering the strip with relation t-o the dies; and Fig.22 is a side elevation of the centering device. y A

`ln these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention andhave shown the same as applied to a pair of synchronous- 'various kinds,either singly or in multiple, or

with other machines.

In the installation here illustrated the two` presses 10and 11 arearranged in tandem and are driven from a common motor l2. Each press isprovided with a feeding-in device 13 and a feeding-out device 14, thesefeeding devices preferably comprising superimposed rollers. A guidewayor chute 15 leads from the feeding out rollers of the first press 10 tothe feeding-in rollers of the second press 11 and the presses are soarranged and controlled that they will operate synchronously to performsuccessive operations on the same portions of the strips fed through thesame. This mechanism is fully shown and described in my co-pendingapplication for patent filed November 19, 1931, Serial No. 576,025, andneed not be ,here shown or described in detail. The lower roller of eachfeeding device on each press is actuated by a reciprocatory toothed bar16, the respective end portions of which mesh with pinions connectedwith the rollers by overrunning clutches, so that the rollers will bemoved in one direction only. The pinions and overrunning clutches arewell known and are not here shown. A frictional retardingr device 13aacts on the lower roller to check its movement and-prevent overthrow.Reciprocatory movement is imparted to the bar 16 by a rock arm 17 whichis actuated by a stud 18 mounted eccentrically on a cam 19 and extendingthrough a slot 2O in the rock arm. l This cam is connected with thedriving mechanism by the usual spring retracted clutch which is operatedagainst the action ofthe spring to set the clutch by means of a footlever 21. In presses equipped with progressive dies, as here shown, thesecond stage dieis provided with alining devices` such as pilot pins,adapted to extend through openings formed in the strip by the firststage die,'to properly aline that strip with the second stage die. Inorder that the strip may be free for movement by the alining devices itis released from the feeding devices by moving the upper feed rollersout of engagement with the lower y feed rollers. In Fig. 2 the upper andlower feed rollers are shown at 22 and 23 and the upper roller ismounted in bearings 24 carried by roller supporting structures 25, whichare pivotally mounted. In the present instance, these structures arerigidly secured to a transverse shaft 26 with which is connected aninwardly extending arm`28` shown in Fig. l. y The arms 28 for the twofeeding devices of cach press are connected by links 29 with levers 30which are pivotally mounted between their ends and have their inner endportions arranged for actuation by the cam 19, the arrangement beingsuch that during the downward movement of the ram, which carriesthemovable dies or punches, the levers 30 will be actuated to draw thearms 28 downwardly and thus lift-the upper feeding rollers and releasethe strip. When a second strip is to be fed into the press it isdesirable that the feeding in rollers should be maintained in theirseparated positions until the strip has been inserted and properlylocated and for this purpose a latch 31 is mounted l tion.

on the side of the press and provided with a shoulder 32 to engage apart of the roller supporting structure, such as an adjustable screw 33,and support that structure in its elevated position. The latch also hasa recess 3 arranged to receive the end of the screw when the latch iswithdrawn and permit the roller to move to its operative posi- Thestructure Iof the individual presses so far described is well l-:nownand forms no part of the present invention, except in so far as itenters into combination with the novel features to be hereinafterdescribed.

In presses of the kind here shown the clutch actuating foot lever 21 isusually retained in its lower position by a manually operated latch. Inthe present machine, I have substituted for that latch a magnet 35, seeFig. 1, the armature 36 of which is carried by the lever and when themagnet is energized will retain the lever in its lower or operativeposition. rIhis enables the operation of the press to be automaticallyinterrupted through mechanism which will be later described.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have shown a novelfmechanism forautomatically controlling the operation of the roller supporting latch31. This operating mechanism comprises a magnet 37 which i s preferablyin the formlof a solenoid, the core 38 of which is slidably mounted on arod' 38a extending through the coil. Rigidly connected with the core 38,and, in the present instance, forming a part thereof, is a tubular rod39, the outer end of which is slidably mounted on a reduced end portion4() of a member 41 pivotally mounted on the latch. A spring 42 is coiledabout the tubular rod 39 and is connected at one end with that rodadjacent to the core 33 and is connected at its other end with thepivoted member 41 beyond the end of the tubular rod 39.i A second spring43 is coiled about the core within the coil of the solenoid and tends tomove that core outwardly when the solenoid is deenergrized. Theenergization of the coil will retract the core 38 and place the spring42 under such tension that it will withdraw the latch 31 from itsoperative position with relation to the roller supporting structure,rthus permitting that structure and roller to he moved downwardly. Whenthe solenoid is deenergized the spring 413 will press the core 38outwardly and cause the end of the tubular rod 39 toiengage the pivotedmember 41 and, move the latch toward its operative position. In theoperation of the press it is desirable that the upper feed roller shouldhe retained in its inoperative position until. the strip has beeninserted and moved to such a position with relation to the dies that thenori al operation of the feed rollers will correctly position the endportion thereof with relation to the dies as t-he strip is fed forward.I have therefore provided' means arranged to be actuated by the strip,

when it has been properly positioned, to energize the magnet 37 Vandwithdraw the latch when the rolle is next lifted by its cam. This meanscomprises a. switch, here shown as a mercury` tube switch 45, which isconnected in circuit with the magnet 87, (see Fig. 20). This switch' isfcarried by a bracket i6 secured to ashaft. 4-7 which is journaled inupright bars or standards 8 rigidlyV secured to a part i9 of the pressframe, thus permitting the switchk to be tilted from its open to itsclosed position. A spring 50 acts on the switch supporting bracket tohold the switch normally in its openv position. Links 51 and 52 arepivotally connected with the standards t8 and extend forwardly somedistance beyond the same. Pivot-ally mounted on the ends of these linksis a vertically arrangedmember 53 on which is pivotally supported alever 54:, the upper end of which is connected by a link 55 with rockarm 56 secured to the shaft 47. The lower end of the supportino member53 is arranged above `an opening 5| in the strip supporting table 58 ofthe press and when there is no strip in position on that table the lowerend of the supporting member will extend into the opening 57 and thelower end of the lever 54 will be arranged in the path of a strip whichis inserted into the press. l/Vhen this strip engages the lever thelatter will be actuated thereby'to move the switch l5 to its closedposition, thus energizing the magnet 37 and `actuzrting the latch 81 torelease the feed roller and its supporting structure and permit the sameto be moved downward. As the roller moves downwardly a two part arm 59which is rigidly connected with the supporting structure for the rollerwill engage studs 60 on the lever supporting member 53 and lift thatmember and the lever out of the path of the strip, this operation takingplace very quickly so there is no appreciable interruption of the stripand no interference is oered to the movement of the strip by the feedrollers when the upper roller assumes its operative position withrelation thereto. A spring 6l acts on the upper link 5l to press thestuds 60 against the arms 59 and support the lower end of the leversupporting member 53 above the upper surface of the strip when thearmsare in their elevated positions. Thus the lever and its supportingmember rise and fall with the arms 59, their downward movement beinglimited by contact of the supporting memberwith the strip, and when therear end of the strip has passed the` supporting member the latter .willmove to its lowermost position and therevbyv position the lcvcrjinthepath of a succeeding` strip.

As soon as 'the ,switchI actuating lever 54 is moved out of `engagementwith the end of the strip which has actuated the same the spring 50will' return the switch 45 to its open position, thus breaking thecircuit through the magnet. In order to maintain the latch 3l in itsinoperative position during the feeding of the strip through the press,and thus permit the movementof the roller to'fbe controlled wholly byits actuating cam 19, I have connected a second switch 62 in circuitwiththe magnet 37 and in parallel with the switch 45 and this second switchis so controlled that. it will prevent the complete deenergizing of themagnet 37 until the rear end ofthe strip has passedor is close to thefeeding-in rollers. The second switch is then moved to its inoperativeposition and the magnet completely deenergized, thus causing the latchto be returned to its operative position and the feeding-in roller 22held in its inoperative position. The continued movement of the strip isthen effected wholly by the feeding-out rollers. This second'switch 62,whichvis also in the form of forming part of an automatic feedingmechanism to be hereinafter described. Pivotally secured to the feedtable 66, at one side thereof, is a bracket 67 comprising an arm 68which extends above the table and has mounted on its outer end a roller69, which normally extends through an opening 7 4l in the table. Thebracket also comprises a second part 70 which extends beneath the tableand which carries a plate 71, preferably of insulating material.v Thepart 70 of the bracket is bifurcated andv an arm 72 is pivotally mountedbetween its ends'upon this bifurcated portion of the bracket. A roller73 is 'mounted on the outer end of the arm 72 rconfined between the headof the screw and the plate, resists the movement of the arm 72 away fromthe plate, thus causing the arm and the bracket to normally movetogether about the axis of the bracket, and so positioning the arm andthe bracket with relation one to the other that the rollers will bespaced apart a distance sufficient to permit the passage of a strip ofnormal thickness. The arm 72 is connected with the part 7 Ov of thebracket by a pivot pin 77 which extends beyond one side of the part l70and is embraced by the slotted end of a crank arm 78 secured to theshaft '64 which carries the switch supportingV bracket, the arrangementbeing such that when the parts are in their normal position, below thatshown in the drawings, the switch will be open. The bracket 67 and arm72 tend to move downwardly by gravity and this movement is'limited by astop so arranged that the roller 69 will extend into the opening 74 inthe table 66. In the present instance, I have utilized as the stop apart 17() of a strip centering device to be hereinafter described. Theserollers are arranged adjacent to and slightly in advance of thefeeding-in rollers 22 and 23 so that astrip must pass between therollers 69 and 73 before it is inserted between the feeding-in rollers.The rollers 69 and 73 are spaced apart a distance approximately equal tothe thickness of the strip to be operated on and when such a strip isinserted between these rollers the structure as a whole will be movedupwardly about the axis of the bracket, thus tilting` the switch 62 toits closed position.y Inasmuch as the magnet should not operate thelatch until the forward end of the strip has been moved some distancebeyond the feed-y ing-in rollers I have inserted in the circuit oftheswitch 62 a resistance 8O which will so reduce the strength of thecurrent that the magnet will not be sufficiently energized to move itsarmature against the action of the springs 42 and 43. Consequently themagnet will not be fully energized until the forward end of the strip isadvanced beyond the feeding-in rollers and has engaged the lever 54 andactuated the switch 45.v This full energization of the magnet, whichcauses the latch to be retracted, is of shortduration, as the switchlreturns at once to its open position. However, the energization of themagnet through the switch 62 and resistance S0 is sufficient to reta-inthe armature in its retracted position against the action of the springsafter it has been once retracted, and therefore the latch will not bereturned to its operative position until the rear end of the strip haspassed the controlling rollers 69 and 7 3 and the switch 62 has beenagain restored to its open position.

It will be apparent that in the operation of the press the feedingroller 22 will be held in its inoperative position by the latch 3l solong as there is no strip between the con` trolling rollers 69 and 73.rThen the strip is Iinserted between the controlling rollers the magnet37 is only partially energized and does not withdraw the latch and theupper feeding roller remains inoperative until the strip engages thelever 54 and causes the switch 45 to be closed, thus fully energizingthe magnet and releasing the feeding roller. As the Vfeeding rollermoves to its operative position the lever supporting member 53 is liftedby the armsV 59 and moved out of the path of the strip. The strip isthen advanced intermittently by the feeding rollers as above described,the upper roller being moved to its inoperative position during eachdownward movement of the ram. The arms 59 move with the upper feeding`roller and cause the lever supporting member 53 to rise and fall as thatroller moves Vdownwardly and upwardly. lVhen the rear end of the striphas passed the controlling rollers 69 and 73 the magnet 37 will bedeenergized and the latch will move to ite` operative position and lockthe upper feeding roller in its inoperative position. The feeding of thestrip is then completed by the feeding-out rollers and when the rear endof the striphas passed the lever supporting member that member will movethe lever into the path of the succeedinfT strip and the cycle ofoperations will be repeated. The mechanism here shown for controllingthe feed roller 22 and its associated parts is useful in variousorganizations other than here illustrated and forms the basis of mycospending application for patent filed November 16, 1931, Serial No.575,324.

The controlling rollers 69 and 73 also control a second switch which inturn controls the operation of the press as a whole. This second switchcomprises a fixed contact member 8l, carried by the plate 7l, and amovable contact member 32 carried by the adjacent end of the pivoted arm72. rl"hese contact members are connected in the circuit of the magnet35 which retains the clutch operating lever 2l in its operativeposition. So long as the rollers are in their normal positions hecontacts 8l and 82 will be in engagement .nd the circuit and the switchcont-rolling magnet will be closed. Inasmuch as the plate Tl is carriedby the bracket 67 and moves `with the arm 72 in the normal operation ofthe device the switch will not be opened by I the passage of a singlenormal strip but if a strip of excessive thickness or two superimposedstrips be presented to the rollers 6) and the rollers will Vbe forcedapart and the arm 72 moved with relation to the plate 7l, thusseparating the contacts 8l and 82 and deenergizing magnet 35 andpermitting the lever 2l to be moved to its inoperative position by theaction of the clutch springs.

The strips may be fed to` the press in any suitable manner but the pressmechanism as described has been designed particularly for cooperationvith an automatic strip feeding mechanism and I have here shown a meclranism automatically operating to remove strips one at a time from a pileof said strips and deliver the same to the press. This mechanisnris hereshown as comprising a main frame 83 on which the feeding table 66 issupported in alinement with the strip supporting table of the press.Means are provided for supporting apile of strips adjacent to andpreferably alongside the feeding table 66 and preferably the pile ofstrips is supported ou the frame 83. As here shown, that frame isprovided with horizontal supporting members 84 extending laterallybeyond the table 66. Thestrips may, if desired, be

piled directly upon thesupporting members 34 ybutI preferthat the pileof strips should w be carried by a. suitable carrier, such as a plank85, see Figs. 7 and 8, on which the' strips may be piled, as shown at86, and the carrier with thepile of strips thereon then.

placed on the supportingmembers. llVhen the supply of strips on onecarrier has been exhausted al second carrier is placed on the supportingmember' and pushed into proper position thereon and this movement of thesecond carrier will force the empty carrier laterally beneath thefeeding table 66, which is here shown as supported by L-shaped arms 87.r1`his empty carrier can then be removed lengthwise from the frame andreloaded with another pile of strips. To facilitate the movement of thecarriers l have provided the supporting members S7 witl rollers S8. Theloaded carrier is properly positioned with relation tothe feedingmechanism bymeans ofsuitablc lpositioning devices wh`ch are here shownas arms 89 having their outer ends pivotallv mounted on the supportingmembers 84 'and having at their inner ends lugs 90 constituting stopswhich will be engaged by the carrier and vwill properly position thesame. As here shown, each arm 89 has adepending portion 91 which isacted upon by a spring 92 to hold the stop 90 normally in operative'postion Each arm 89 also hasan inclined lug 93 extending upwardlytherefrom just beyond the outer side of the pile carrier when the latteris in its proper position. Consequently when a.' loaded .carrier isplaced upon the supporting` members and pushed inwardly it will engagethe inclined lugs 98 and press the arms 89 doivnwardly to move the stops90'to their inoperative positions thus permitting the empty carrier tolbe vpushed beyond the arms 89'and onto a suitable support 94. f As soonas the loaded carrieris moved past the `lugs 93 the springs 99 will movethe stops 90 into thepath of that carrier. v

A carriage is mounted on the fra-meSS for movement from a position abovethe pile of strips to a position above the feeding table, and viceversa, and this carriage is provided withv suitable lifting deviceswhichwill engage the topniost strip on the pile and carry the same to aposition above thefeeding table and then release the strip. As hereshown, the carriage comprises an elongatet frame 95 extendingparallel tothe feeding vtable and supported` by sprocket chains 96 arranged at therespective ends of the frame and passing about upper sprocket wheels 97and lower sprocket wheels 98. Preferably the carriage is pivotallymounted on the sprocket chains so that it will be suspended therefrom ina substantially vertical position at all times during the movementof thesprocket chains., lf' desired, means may be provided for positivelyretaining the carriage in a vertical position at all times during itstravel. For this purpose I have rigidly connected to the carriage, neareach end thereof, and in vertical alinement therewith,

members `of the main frame and extendingA beyond the Vopposite sides ofthe upper sprocket wheel, thus the carriage may have vertical movementwith relation to the guide members and horizontal movement therewith andwill be held against movement about its pivotal connection to thesprocket chains. The chains and carriage may be driven by any suitablemeans and, in the present instance, an electric motor 99 is utilized anda pulley 100 on the armature shaft thereof is connected by a belt 101 toa pulley 102 secured to a shaft 103 which carries the uppersprocket-wheels 97. Means are ,provide ed as hereinafter described forautomatically reversing thedirection .of movement of the sprocket chainsso that the carriage will be ymoved from the positionabove the pile ofstrips to a position above the feeding table and then returned to aposition above theJ pile of strips. v

rlhe carriage is ,provided at its lower edgev with a -series of lifting,devices 104 which are preferablyinthe form of electro-mag nets, asshown in detail-m Fig. 14, and are arranged lengthwise of the frame soas toengage the uppermost strip of the pile., at intervals throughoutits length. rlhese lifting magnets are automatically controlled to causethe sametobe energized when they are brought into operative relation tothe uppermost Vstrip on the pile and to be deenergized to release thestrip and permit it to drop on the .feeding table. rlhe circuit 105 forthe lifting magnets 'has connected therein a switch, here vshown as amercury tube switch 106, whichy `is carried by a pivotallysupportedbracket 107 which, in the present instance,i1s supportedbeneath the feeding table. This switch is held normally in its closedposition and for this purpose I have connected with the bracket 107 4acounterweight 108. Also connected with the bracket 107 is a switch'actuating arm 109 arranged beneath the table and having its endupturned, as shown at 110, and extending through an opening in the.table, so that when the switch is in its closed position the upper endof this arm will extend some distance above the table. In the normaloperation of the mechanismthis switch will therefore be closed and themagnets energized when they are brought into operative relation with thepile of'strips and the topmost strip will be lifted, moved to a positionabove tl e feeding table and then lowered toward that table. As thecarriage and strip move downwardly the strip will engage the end 110 ofthe switch actuating arm `and depress the same, thus able to providemeans forV preventing a second strip being dropped onto the table whilea preceding strip is already on 'the table and it may sometimes happenthat the preceding strlp will not be entirely withdrawn from the tablebefore a second strip is positioned above the same. I have thereforeconnected a second switch 111 with the magnet circuit in parallel withthe switch 106, so that both switches must be opened before the magnetsare deenergized. This second switch 111 is controlled by the strip whichrest-s upon the feeding table and will be held in its closed positionuntil that strip has been enti-rely withdrawn from the table or has beenmoved from a position beneath the strip which is suspended above thetable.

Various means may be employed for so controlling the switch 111 but Iprefer to employ for that purpose the same device which controls theswitch 62 in the circuit of the fed into the press has been moved beyondthe rollers 69 andV 73. Asfhere shown, the witch 111is a mercury tubeswitchV and is mounted on the bracket 63 alongside of' the switch 62 sothat it will be maintained in its closed position until the strip hasymoved beyond the rollers 69 and 73 and will then be automaticallyopened.v Consequently if there 1s a strip on the table at the ytime thesucceeding strip islowered toward the table and opens the switch 106 themagnet circuit lifting magnets will remain energized until the precedingstrip has been withdrawn and then, both switches being opened, themagnets will be deenergized and the strip dropped upon the table. Theswitch 111 will remain open until the succeeding strip has been fedbetween the rollers 69 and 73 and the switch 106 will remain open untilthe rear end of that succeeding stri-p has been moved beyond the switchactuating arm 109. One or both of these switches will usually be closedbefore the carriage has returned the lifting magnets to their operativepositions above the pile of strips and therefore the magnets will beenergized and ready to engage the uppermost strip by the time they areready to. return with the next strip.

Any suitable means` may be employed for reversing the direction ofmovement of the carriage but I prefer to utilize a reversible electricmotor and, as shown in Fig. 19, I

have employed a motor having a compoundly wound field 112 and having twoarmature windings 113 and 114v which are alternately operable and whichact to rot-ate in opposite directions. The armature winding 113 servesto drive the carriage from a position above the pile of strips to aposition above the feeding table and the armature winding 11-1 serves toreturn the carriage to a position above the pile of strips. Thesearmature windings are automatically controlled by two switches 115 and116. The switch 115 is a two-way switch and is here shown as a mercurytube switch having three contacts, 117, 118 and 119. The contact 117 isconnected. by a conductor 120 with one side of the power line and thecontact 118 is connected by conductor 121, switch 116 and conductor 122with one side of the armature 113 andthe other side of this armature isconnected by a conductor 123 with the other side of the power line. Thecontact 119 of the switch 115 is connected by a conductor 121 with oneside of the armature 114: and the other side of this armature is alsoconnected by the conductor 123 with the other side of the power line. Itwill be apparent therefore that when the switch 115 is in the positionshown in Fig. 19 the circuit will be closed through the armature 1111and when that switch is tilted to its other position the circuit will beclosed through the armature 113, subject to the additional control ofthat circuit by the switch 116. The switch 115, which is thus thereversing switch, is preferably mounted on the carriage 95 for movementtherewith .and is controlled by the position of the lifting magnets withrelation to lthe strip which is to be delivered to the feeding table. Ashere shown, the switch is carried by a 125 which is pivotally mounted onan arm 126 carried by a supporting member 127 which is secured totheframe 95. Slidably mounted in the supporting member 127 is a rod 128,

the lower end ofy which,when unrestrained,

extends below the level of the lifting magnets. Secured to this rod 128are two stops such as collars 129i` and 130, which are spaced apart and.between which extends an arm 131 secured to the switch supportingbracket- 125,

the arrangement being such that when the rod 128 moves to its lowermostposition, as shown in Fig. 19, the stop 130 will engage the arm 131 andmove the switch to a position to close the circuit through the armature114. When the lifting magnets are lowered into operative relation to thepile of strips the rod 128 will engage the uppermost strip and thecarriage will' move downwardly with relation thereto, thus causing thestop 129 to engage the arm 131 and move the switch 115 to a position toclose the circuit between the contacts 117 and 118 in the circuit of thearmature 113 and, if the switch 116 is in its closed position, closingthe circuit through T' bracket 79 that armature, thereby reversing thedirection of movement of the carriage. rlhe switch 116 is so controlledthat it will be normally closed and, as here shown, that switch issupported b-y the bracket 10.7 which carries the switch 106 for thelifting magnet circuit and is so arranged that it will, le closed whenthe actuating arm 109 is in its elevated position. rTherefore7 in thenormal operation of the machine this switch will be closed when thelifting magnets approach the pile of strips and the actuation of theswitch bythe rod 128 will reverse the direction of travel of thecarriage. As the carriage is lowered above the feeding table and thestrip engages the upturned end of the actuating arm 109 the switch 116will be moved to its open position, thus breaking the circuit throughthe armature 113 and stopping the motor. 1f the breaking of the liftingmagnet circuit at the switch 103 serves to deenergize the liftingmagnets and release the strip the rod 128 will drop and the switch 115will be actuated toV again reverse the direction of travel of thecarriage. However, if the preceding strip is still on the feeding'tableand the liftingmagnet circuit is closed at the switch 111 the switch 115will be retained in position to hold open the circuit through thearmature 114 and the opening ofthe switch 116 will merely stop the motorand the strip will be held suspended above the table until the precedingstrip has been withdrawn and the magnet circuit broken at the switch 111.

Means are provided for instantly stopping the movement of the carriagewhen the circuit is broken through either motor armature winding and lprefer to provide an auto-v matic brake on the armature shaft. As hereshown, the pulley 100 ony the armature shaft has on its inner side apart 132 provided with a frictionsurface, and slidably mounted on themotor frame for movement lengthwise of the armature shaft is a brakemember or disk 133 which has a facing of friction material 134 adaptedto engage the friction face of the part 132. A series of springs 135arranged about the peripheral portion of the disk 133, and preferablymounted in recesses 136 in the motor frame, act on the disk 133 to setthe brake. Dowel pins 137 hold the brake member 33 against rotationwithout interfering with its sliding movement. A magnet coil 133 isarranged on the inner side of the brake member or disk 133 and whenenergized acts on that member to withdraw the saine against the actionof the springs 135 and thus release the brake. The magnet is connectedin the common circuit to both armature windingsjas shown in Fig. 19.,and will therefore be energized when the circuit is closed througheither winding and will be deenergized whenever both circuits arebroken.Y

After the strip has been released by the lifting magnets and has droppedonto'the feeding table it is automatically advanced and delivered to thepress. As has been explained the upper feeding roller 22 of the press isretained in an inoperative position when there is no strip between `thesame and the lower feeding roller 23. This permits of the strip beinginserted direclv into the press and into engagement with the switchactuating lever 54 which controls the operation of the latch whichsupports thefeeding roller in its inoperative position. In theconstruction here illustrated the means for so inserting the stripcomprises two feeding members 142 and 143 which are carried by shafts144 j ournaled in vertical bearings arranged beneath the feeding tableand the feeding members project through slots 145 in the feeding tableto points somedistance above the table. Secured to the lower ends of theshafts 144 are pulleys 146 which are connected by belts 147 with a motor148, the arrangement being such that the feeding members will be rotatedin opposite'directions. A pair of upright guides 149 are arranged neareach end of the feeding table and have their upper ends flaredoutwardly. When the strip is released from the mzugnets it drops betweenth-e guides 149 and between the feeding members 142 and 143 and theseseveral members serve to correctly position the strip lengthwise of thetable. lhe feeding members are preferably tapered upwardly, orcone-shaped, and may be provided with spiral grooves to positively movethe stripy downwardly between the feeding members. The feeding membersare adjustable transversely to the table to vary the space between thesame and, as'here shown, the bearing for the feeding member 142 iscarried by an arm 150 which is pivotallv mounted beneath the table andcarries a stud 151 which extends through a slot 152 in the table and issecured in adjusted positions in that slot byv a nut 153. @ne of thefeeding members is preferably spring pressed toward the other to causethe strip to be firmly gripped between the same and thereby prvide anefficient feeding contact between the edges of the strip and the feedingmembers, but it is desirable that this pressure should be relieved afterthe strip has been engaged by the feeding rollers of the press. ln theconstruction here illustrated the bearing for the feeding member 143 iscarried by an arm 154 pivotally mounted beneath the table. This bearinghas secured thereto a lip` 155 providedwith an opening through which extends a rod 156, the rod having a head 157 to. engage the outer side ofthe lip. The other' end of the rod .entends through a bracket 153 andthrough a coil 159 of a magnet which is supported by that bracket, andhas secured thereto., beyond the magnet, a plate or disk 160whichconstitutes an armature for the magnet. A spring 161 is coiledabout the 'loo rod 156 and has one end rigidi secured to that rodadjacent to the lip 155 and has its other end secured to the bracket158. lhen the magnet is deenergized the tension of the spring 161 willbe exerted on the rod and the head 15-7 of the latter will engage thelip 155 and thus press the feeding member 143 firmly inengagement withtheedge of the strip. When the magnet is energized the armature 160 willbe drawn toward the same and the rod moved lengthwise to carry the head157 thereof either out of engagement with the lip 155 or to a positionwhich will relieve that liV of all or a part of the spring pressure.Tlie magnet 159 is connected with the circuits for the latch controllingmagnet 37, the connection being such that the magnet will be energizedwhen either the switch 415 or the switch 62 is closed. The smallercurrent which is delivered to the magnet Jhrough the switch 62 is notsufficient to overcome the action of the spring 161 but is sufiicient tohold the armature seated after it has been actuated by the largercurrent delivered thereto through the switch L15. Consequently thefeeding pressure will be maintained on the edges of the strip until thelatter has been fully inserted between the feed rollers andv the switchactuated. Vhile it is desirable to reduce the feeding pressure exertedon the edges of the strip afterthe latter has been engaged by thefeeding rollers of the press it is preferable that a light pressureshall'be maintained on ther edges of the strip to properly position thesame. I have therefore connected with the arm 154 a second tensionspring 162 of less strength than the spring 161 and which actsconstantly on the arm. As here shown, this spring is connected at oneend with the arm 154 and at the other end with a lug 163 forming part ofa bracket 164 on which the bracket 158 is supported by means of a bar165. The bracket 164C is adjustably mounted, preferably on the axisabout which the arm 1611 is adjustable and carries a stud 166 whichextends through a slot 167 in the plate and is held in adjustedpositions therein by a nut 168.

The strips which are to be delivered to the press are not alwaysstraight but are sometimes slightly curved edgewise. In order that sucha strip may be moved through the press in such a manner that completeblanks will be struck from each successive portion thereof I haveprovided means for positionin the forward end of the stri 3 in asliefhtli7 CJ .l

off center position with relation to the die but in a position whichwill permit a complete blank to be struck therefrom, and to then soguide the strip through the press that the successive blanks will bestruck therefrom in a straight line. This will cause the 'intermediateblanks to be struck from ortions of the strip slightly off center towardthat side of the strip opposite the side on the feed table 66 slightlyin advance of' the feeding-in rollers, a pair ef guide studs 169 and 170which are preferably in the form of rollers and are carried by arms 171and 172 pivotally mounted on the underside of the table, the studsextending upwardly through suitable openings in the table. A tensionspring 17 3 is connected with the respective ends of the respective arms171 and 172 and serve to hold these arms in contact with normally fixedbut adjustable stopsl 1711 and 175. The spring 173 is connected with thearms 171 and 172 at different distances from the axes of those arms sothat, because of the difference in leverage, the pull exerted by thespring on one arm will be greater than the pull exerted on the otherarm. In the present arrangement the spring is connected with the arm 171at a distance from its al1-:is sufiiciently greater than the distancebetween the point of connection of the spring with the arm 172 and theaxis of that arm to cause the pull on the arm 171 to be approximatelytwice the pull on the arm 172. 1V hen a curved strip is presented to theduide rollers 169 and 170 the forward end otg that strip will beslightly ofi center with the line of movement of the strip and theroller 170 will be displaced by the stri p. because of the smallerresistance offered to its movement by the spring 17 3, and will pressthe opposite edge of the strip against the roller 169 which is heldfirmly against its stop by the spring. This results in so positioningthe end of the strip that the forward portion thereof will be presentedto the dies in a slightly ofi center position but in lin'e therewith sothat a complete blank may be struck from the first portion thereof.rllhe dies being essentially straight line piloting dies will guide thestrip in a straight line after it enters the same, the rollers 169 and170 yielding according to the curvature of the strip.

Vhile I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wishit to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the detailsthereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in theart;

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a. mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, afeeding table over which the strips may be moved toy thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to said table, acarriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table and lowering thesame toward said table, a lifting device mounted on said carriage, andmeans controlled by the position of ,aid carriage to cause said liftingdevice to operatively engage a strip on said supporting means When saidcarriage is positioned above said supporting means and to release saidstrip when said carriage is lowered to a position adjacent to saidtable.

In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press or thelike, a feeding table over Which the strips may be moved to the press,means to supporta supply of strips adjacent to said table, a carriage,means for moving said carriage from a position above said stripsupporting means to a position above said table, a lifting devicemounted on said carriage, and means controlled by the position of saidcarriage and by the position of a preceding strip on said table to causesaid lifting device to operatively engage a strip on said supportingmeans when said carriage is positioned above said supporting means andto release said strip when said carriage is positioned above said table.

3. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material toa punch press orthe like, a feeding table over Which the strips may be moved to thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to said table, acarriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table, a lifting devicemounted en said carriage, means controlled by the position of saidcarriage to cause said lifting device to operatively engage a strip onsaid supporting means When said carriage is positioned above saidsupporting means and to release said strip when said carriage ispositioned above said table, and means controlled by a preceding stripto prevent t-he release of said strip by said lifting` device While saidpreceding strip is on said table beneath the strip which is supported bysaid lifting' device.

ll. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to aV punch pressor the like, a feeding table over which the strips may be moved to thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to said table, acarriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table, a lifting devicemounted on said carriage, means controlled by .the position of saidcarriage to cause said lifting device to operatively engage a strip onsaid supporting means when said carriage is positioned above saidsupporting means and to release said strip Wlien said carriage ispositioned above said table, and means controlled by a preceding stripto prevent the releaseof said strip by said lifting device and tointerrupt the movement of said carriage When a preceding strip is onsaid table beneath the strip which is supported by said lifting device.

5 In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feedino' table over Whicii the strips may be moved to thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent 'to said table, a`carriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table, a lifting devicemounted on said carriage, means controlled by the position of saidcarriage to cause said lifting device to operatively engage a strip onsaid supporting means when said carriage is positioned above saidsupporting means and to release said strip when said carriage ispositioned above. said table, and means controlled by the position of apreceding strip on said table to interrupt the movement of saidcari'iage.

6. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding table over which the strips may be moved to thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to said table, acarriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table and to then lowerthe same toward said table, a lifting device mounted on said carriage,means controlled by the position of said carriage to cause said liftingdevice to operatively engage a strip on said supporting means when saidcarriage is positioned above said supporting means and to release saidstrip when said cfrriage is lowered to a posit-ion adjacent to saintable, and means to'move said strip over said table to said press.

7. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding table over Which the strips may be moved to thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent tok said table, aVcarriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table, a lifting devicemounted on said carriage, means controlled by the position of saidcarriage to cause said lifting device to operatively engage a strip onsaid supporting means when said carriage is positioned above saidsupporting means and to release said strip when said carriage ispositioned above said table, and rotatable feeding devices arrangedabove said table to engage the edges of said strip and feed the same tosaid press.

8. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding table over Which the strips may be moved to thepress, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to said table, acarriage, means for moving said carriage from a position above saidstrip supporting means to a position above said table, a lifting devicemounted on said carriage, means controlled by the position of saidcarriage to cause said lifting device to operatively engage a strip onsaid supporting means when said carriage is positioned above saidsupporting means and to release said strip when said carriage ispositioned above said table, rotatable feeding devices arranged abovesaid table to engage the edges of said strip and feed the same to saidpress, and means controlled by the position of the strip with relationto the press to relieve the pressure of said feeding devices on theedges of said strip.

9. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage, a lifting device mounted on said carriage, means for actuatingsaid carriage to move said lifting device to position to engage a stripon said supporting means, to then elevate said lifting device and movethe same above said feeding device, and to then lower the same to aposition adjacent to said feeding device, and means controlled inaccordance with the movements of said carriage to cause said liftingdevice to operatively engage said strip when it is in the firstmentioned position and release said strip when it is in the lastmentioned position.

10. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage, a lifting device mounted on said carriage, means for actuatingsaid carriage to move said lifting device to position to engage a stripon said supporting means and then to a position to deliver said strip tosaid feeding device, and means controlled by the movements of saidcarriage to cause said lifting device to operatively engage said stripwhen it is in the first mentioned position and release said strip whenit is in the last mentioned position, and to reverse the direction ofmovement of said carriage after said lifting device has engaged saidstrip and after it has released said strip.

11. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press,

means for supporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device,a carriage mounted for both vertical movement and transverse movement, alifting magnet mounted'on said carriage, means for actuating saidcarriage to move said lifting magnet to a position to engage a strip onsaid supporting means and then to a position to deliver said strip tosaid feeding means, and means controlled in accordance with themovements of said carriage to energize and deenergize said liftingmagnet.

12. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press,

means for supporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device,a carriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage, means foractuating said carriage to move said lifting magnet to a position toengage a strip on said supporting means, then to a position above saidfeeding device and to then lower the same to a. position to deliver saidstrip to said feeding device, a switch to control the energization ofsaid rlifting magnet, and means controlled in accordance with theposition of said carriage to open said switch when said lifting magnetis lowered to a position to deliver the strip to said feeding means.

13. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupportinga supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage, means for actuatingsaid carriage to move said lifting magnet to a position to engage astrip on said supporting means and then to a position to deliver saidstrip to said feeding means, a switch to control the energia: tion ofsaid lifting magnet, and means actuated by the strip which is supportedby said lifting magnet to open said switch when said lifting magnet isin a position to deliver said strip to said feeding means.

14. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage, means for actuatingsaid carriage to move said lifting magnet to a position to engage astrip on said supporting means and then to a position to deliver saidstrip to said feeding means, a tiltable switch in circuit with saidlifting magnet, means to hold said switch normally in its closedposition, and an actuating meinber connected with said switch andarranged to be engaged by the strip which is supported by said liftingmagnet and rto move said switch to its open position when said liftingmagnet is in a position to deliver said strip to said feeding means.

15. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage, means for actuatingsaid carriage to move said lifting magnet to a position to engage astrip on said supporting means and then to a position to deliver saidstrip to said feedlli) ing means, a tiltable switch in circuit with saidlifting magnet, means to hold said switch normaliy in its closedposition, an actuating member connected ,vith said switch and arrangedto be engaged by the strip which is supported by said lifting magnet andto move said switch to its open position when said lifting magnet is ina position to deliver said strip to said feeding means, a second switchto maintain the energization of said lifting magnet when thefirstmentioned switch is openen, and means controlled by a strippreviously delivered to said feeding means to control said secondswitch.

1G. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a table, feeding means to move a strip over said `table towardsaid press, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to said table,a carriage, means to move said carriage from a position above said stripsupporting means to a position above said table, a lifting inagnetmounted on said carriage, two switches connected in parallel in thecircuit for said lifting magnet, means controlled in accordance with themovement of said carriage to actuate one of said switches, and meanscontrolled by a strip on said table to act-nate the other of saidswitches.

17. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a table, feeding means to move a strip over said table towardsaid press, means to support a supply of strips adjacent to sai'd table,a carriage, means to move said carriage from a position above said stripsupporting means to a position above said table, a lifting magnetmounted on said carriage, two switches connected in parallel in thecircuit for said lifting magnet, means controlled in accordance .withtheI movement of said carriage to actuate one of said switches, and ayieldable strip engaging member operatively connected with the secondswitch, extending normally above the upper surface of said table nearthat end thereof which is adjacent to said press and arranged to bedepressed by a strip which is passing from said table to said press.

1S. ln`a. mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch pressor the like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, meansfor supporting a supply of strips adiacent to saidv feeding device, acarriage, afiifting magnet mounted on said carriage, reversible meansfor actuating said carriage to move said lifting magnet yto a positionto engage strip on said supporting means, then to a position to deliversaid strip to said feeding means and then again to a position to engageanother strip on said supporting means, andineans controlled inaccordance with the movement of said carriage to energiZe said liftingmagnet and to reverse the direction of movement of said carriageactuating means when said lifting magnet is in a position to engage astrip on said supporting means and to deenergize said magnet and againreverse said carriage actuating means when said lifting magnet is in aposition to deliver said strip to said feeding neans.

19. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage movable from a position above said supporting means to aposition adjacent to said feeding means, a reversible motor foractuating said carriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage formovement therewith, a switch in circuit with said lifting magnet, areversing switch in circuit with said motoi', and means controlled inaccordance with the movements of said carriage to control said'switches.

2G. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage movable from a position above said supporting means to aposition adjacent to said feeding means, a reversible motor foractuating' said carriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage formovement therewith, a normally closed switch in circuit with saidlifting magnet, a reversing switch in circuit with said motor, and meanscontrolled in accordance with the movements of said carriage to actuatesaid reversing switch when said liftino' magnet is in operative relationto a strip on said supporting means and to again actua-tc said reversingswitch and to open said normally closed switch when said lifting magnetis in a position to deliver the strip to said feeding means.

2l. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding' device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage movable from a position above said supportingI means to aposition adjacent to said feeding means, a reversible motor foractuating said carriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage formovement therewith, a normally closed switch in circuit with saidlifting magnet, means controlled in accordance with the movements ofsaid carriage to open said normally closed switch when said liftingmagnet is moved to a position to deliver the strip to said feedingmeans, a reversing switch in circuit with said motor, and stripcontrolled means mounted on said carriage to actuate said reversingswitch.

22. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch presso-r the like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press,

means for supporting a supply of Strips adjacent to said feeding device,a carriage movable from a position above said supporting means to aposition adjacent to said feeding device, a reversible motor foractuating said carriage, a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage formovement therewith, a normally closed switch in circuit with saidlifting magnet, means controlled in accordance with the movements ofsaid carriage to open said normally closed switch when said liftingmagnet is moved to a position to deliver the strip to said feedingmeans, a reversing switch mounted on said carriage and connected incircuit with said motor, and an actuating device for said reversingswitch mounted on said carriage and so arranged that it will move saidreversing switch in one direction when a strip is engaged by saidlifting magnet and will move said reversing switch in the otherdirection when said strip is released from said lifting magnet.

23. ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means forsupporting a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, acarriage movable from a position ahove said supporting means to aposition adjacent to said feeding device` a reversible motor foractuating said carria a lifting magnet mounted on said carriage formovement therewith, a normally closed switch in circuit with saidlifting magnet, means controlled in accord.- ance with the movements ofsaid carriage to open said normally closetL switch when said liftingmagnet is mtr-Jed to a position to deliver the strip to said feedingmeans, a reversing switch mounted on said carriage and connected incircuit with said motor, an actuating device operatively connected withsaid reversing` switch and so arranged that when said liftin magnet ismoved into engagement with a strip on said supporting means said.actuating device will engage said strip and will he operated thereby tomove said reversing switch in one direction and will he held in theposition to which it has heen moved by said strip when the latter islifted h v said magnet and will he operated to move the reversing switchin the other direction when said strip is released hy said magnet.

24. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a. punch pressror the like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, meansfor supporting a supply of strips adjacentl to said feeding device, acarriage, a lifting magnet mount-ed on said carriage, a reversible motorfor actuating said carriage to move said lifting magnet to a position toengage a strip on said supporting means, then to a position to deliversaid strip to said feeding device and then again to a position to engagea strip on said supporting means, a switch in circuit with said liftingmagnet, a reversing switch in circuit with said motor, means to actuatethe switch in said magnet circuit and to break the circuit thri'iughsaid motor when said lifting magnet is in a position to deliver thestrip to said feeding device, and means to actuate said reversing switchafter the switch in said magct circuit has been operated.

ln a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press or thelike, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means tosupport a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, a carriagemovable from a position adjacent to said supporting` means to a positionadjacent to said feeding` device, electrically controlled means fordriving said carriage, a switch in circuit with said electricallycontrolled driving means to reverse the direction of operation thereof,means controlled in accordance with the movements of said carriage tooperate said switch, an electrically controlled lifting device mountedon said carriage, a switch in circuit with ,said electrically controlledlifting device, and means controlled in accordance with the movements ofsaid carriage to cause the last mentioned switch to he closed when saidcarriage is in a position adjacent to said supporting means and to heopened when said carriage is in a position adjacent to said feedingmeans.

26. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means tosupport a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, a carriagemovable from a position adjacent to said supporting means to a positionadjacent to said feeding device, electrically controlled means fordriving said carriage, a. switch in circuit with said electricallycontrolled driving means to reverse the direction of operation thereof,means controlled in accordance with the movements of said carriage tooperate said switch, an electrically controlled lifting device mountedon said carriage, a switch in circuit with said electrically controlledlifting device, a device connected with the last Aientioncd switch, andarranged to he engaged by a strip supported by said lifting device andto open said switch when said carriage in a position adjacent to saidfeeding device and to close said switch when said strip is moved out ofengagement therewith.

27. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding device to move a strip toward the press, means tosupport a supply of strips adjacent to said feeding device, a carriagemovalile from a position adjacent to said supporting means to a`position adjacent to said feeding device, electrically controlled meansfor driving said carriage, a switch in circuit with said electricallycontrolled driving means to reverse the direction of operation thereof,means controlled in accordance with the movements of said carriage tooperate said switch, an electrically controlled lifting device mountedon said carriage, a switch in circuit ith said electrically controlledlifting device, means controlled in accordance with the movement-s ofsaid carriage to cause the last mentioned switch to be closed when saidcarriage is in a position adjacent to said supporting means and to beopened when said carriage is in a position adjacent to said feedingmeans, a .second switch connected in circuit with said electricallycontrolled lifting device in parallel with said last mentioned switch,and a device connected with said second switch and arranged to beactuated by a. strip which has been advanced by said feeding device toclose said second switch and to maintain the sa-me'clos-ed or until saidstrip has been moved past the last mentioned device. i

28. ln a mechanism for delivering` strips of material toa punch press orthe like, a feeding table, a feeding device to move a strip from saidtable toward said press, means to support a supply of strips adjacent tosaid table, a carriage movable from a position adjacent to saidsupporting means to a position adjacent to said table, a lifting fevicel mounted on said carriage, means controlled in accordance withthe'movements of said carriage to canse said lifting device tooperatively engage a strip on said supporting means and to release saidstrip when said carriage is in. a position above said table,electrically controlled means to drive said carriage, a reversing switchand a stop switch in circuit with said electrically controlled drivingmeans and in series one with the other. means controlled by the strip'which is supported by said lifting de vice toppen said stop switch whensaid carriage is in a position above said table, and means controlled bythe strip which is supported by said lifting device/"to actuate saidreversing switch when said strip has been released by said lift-ins;device.

29. L In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch pressor the like, a feeding table, a feeding device to move a strip from saidtable toward said press, means t0 support a supply of strips adjacent tosaid table, a carriage movable from a position adjacent to saidsupporting meansto a position adi acent to said table, a lifting devicemounted" said carriage, means controlled in accordance with themovements of said carriage to cause said lifting device to operativelyenge a strip on said supporting means and to release said strip whensaid carriage is in a position above said table, electrically controlledmeans to drive said carriage, a reversing switch and stop switch incircuit with sai-d electrically controlled driving means and in seriesone with the other, means controlled `bythe strip which is supported bysaid lifting device to open said stop switch when said carriage is in aposition above said table, means controlled by the strip which issupported by said lifting device to actuate said reversing switch whensaid strip has been released by said lifting device, and meanscontrolled by a preceding strip on said table to prevent the release ofthe first mentioned strip by said lifting device while said precedingstrip is on the table beneath said first mentioned strip.

30. In a mechanism for delivering strips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding table, a feeding device to move a strip over saidtable toward said press, means t0 support a supply of strips adjacent toSaid table, a carriage movable from a position adjacent to saidsupporting means to a position` adjacent to said table, an electricallycontrolled lifting device mounted on said carriage, a switch in circuitwith said electrically controlled lifting device, electricallycontrolled driving mechanism for said carriage, a stop switch inVcircuit with said electrically controlled driving mechanism, meanscontrolled by a strip supported by said lifting device to open both ofsaid switches when said carriage is in a position above said table, areversingswitch in circuit with said electrically `controlled drivingmechanism and in series with said stop switch,'a device mounted on saidcarriage and controlled by the strip which is supported b v said liftingdevice to actuate said reversing switch when said strip is released, asecond switch connected in circuit with said electrically controlledlifting device and in parallel with the first mentioned switch, and adevice controlled by a preceding strip on said table to maintain saidsecond switch closed until said preceding switch has passed from beneaththe strip supported by said lifting device and to then open said secondswitch.

31. In a mechanism for deliveringstrips of material to a punch press orthe like, a feeding table` feeding members projecting above said feedingtable, rotatable about yvertical axes and spaced apart, means forAdelivering strip to said table between said feeding members, means forrotating said feeding members. means for pressing one of said feedingmembers toward the other to cause said strip to be gripped between them,and means for relieving the pressure on said feeding member when saidstrip has been advanced to a predetermined point.

82. In a. mechanism for delivering strips 0f material to a punch pressor the like, a feeding table, a pair of conical feeding membersprojecting' above said table, said members being rotatable aboutvertical axes and being spaced apart and each member having a spiralgroove, means for delivering a strip of material to said table betweensaid feeding members, means for rotating said feeding members, one ofsaid feedingk members being movable toward and from the other, a springacting on said movable feeding member to press it toward the othermember, and means controlled by the strip which is beingk advanced bysaid feeding members to automatically relieve the pressure of saidspring on said feeding members.

33. In a mechanism .for deliverin T a strip of material to ay punchpress or the like, a feeding table, a pair of feeding members projectingabove said table, said feeding members being rotatable about verticalaxesrand being spaced one from the. other, means for delivering a stripof'iiaterial to said table between said feeding members, means forrotatingA said feeding members, one of said members heilig mounted formovement toward and from the other member, an apertured lip connectedwith said movable feeding member, a rod extending through rsaidapertured lip and h aving a head to engage the same, means for slidablysupporting said rod at a point `spaced from saidf lip, a spring coiledabout said rod-and connected at one end with said rod and connected atits other end .with said supporting means, and means controlled bya'strip which is being advanced by said feeding members to move said rodagainst the action ofsaid spring and thereby relieve the pressure ofysaid springen said movable member.

B4. The combination'@withr a punch press having a pair of feedingrollers'one of which is movable toward and from the other, means forsupporting said movable roller in its inoperative position, and meanscontrolledby av strip inserted between said rollers to release saidmovable roller for movement into kengagement with said strip, of a stripfeeding mechanism comprising a table, feeding members projecting abovesaid tabler and rotatable about vertical axes, means for delivering astrip to said table between said feeding members, means for rotatingsaid feeding members, one of said feeding members being movable towardand from the other, a spring acting on said movable feedingmember topress the same toward said other feeding member, and means controlled bythe releasing means for the movable roller of said press to relieve thepressure of said spring on said movable feeding member.

35. vThe combination with a punch press having feeding rollers one ofwhich is movable toward and from the other, means for supportingsaidmovable roller in an inoperative position,l and electricallyoperated means controlled by a strip inserted between said rollers torelease said movable roller for movement into engagement with saidstrip, of a feeding mechanism comprising a table, feeding membersprojecting above said table and rotatableabout vertical axes, means fordelivering a strip of material to said table between said feedingmembers, means for rotating said feeding members, one of said feedingmembers being movable toward and from the other, a spring acting on saidmovable roller to press the same toward said other roller, and anelectrically operated device to relieve the pressure of said spring onsaid feeding member, said electrically operated device being connectedin circuit with the electrically operated releasing means for saidmovable roller.

36. The combination with a punch. press having feeding rollers one ofwhich is movable toward and from the other, means for supporting saidmovable roller in an inoperative position, and electrically operatedmeans controlled by a strip inserted between said rollers to releasesaid movable roller for movement into engagement with said strip, of afeeding mechanism comprising a table, feeding members projecting abovesaid table and rotatable about vertical axes, means for delivering astrip vof material to said table between said feeding members, means forrotating said feeding members, one of said feeding membersbeing movabletoward and from the other, an apertured' lip connected with said movablefeeding member, a rod ei;- tending through the aperture in said lip andhaving a head to engage the lip, and :supporting member spaced from saidlip and in which said rod is slidably mounted, a spring coiled aboutsaid rod and connected at one end therewith and connected at its otherend with said supporting means, a magnet carried by said supportingmeans and connected in circuit'withthe electrically operated means forreleasing said movable roller, and an armature for said magnet connectedwith said rod and so arranged that when said magnet is energized saidrod will be moved against the tension of said sprinff. c

37. In a mechanism for delivering a strip of material to a lpunch pressor the like, a feeding table, a pair of feeding members projecting abovesaid table, said feeding members being rotatable about vertical axes andbeing vspaced one from the other, means for delivering a strip ofmaterial to said table between said feeding members, means for rotatingsaid feeding members, one of said members being mounted for movementtoward andY from the other member, an apertured lip'connected with saidmovable feeding members, a rod ext-ending through said apertured liplandhaving a head to engage the same, means for slidably supporting said rodat a point spaced from said lip, a spring coiled about said rod andconnected at one end with said rod and connected at its other end withsaid supporting means, means controlled by a strip which is beingadvanced by said feeding members to move said rod against the action ofsaid spring and thereby relieve the pressure of said spring on said

